“The Influence of Lifestyle on Adoption of Breast Cancer Prevention Modalities among Women.” A Case Study of Kyaddondo County in Uganda

Abstract

Background: In Uganda, breast cancer is the third most frequent cancer of women that is preventable through change in life style habits such as reduction in alcohol uptake, obesity, none use of tobacco products, use of hormonal pills and increase in physical activities thereby reducing the risk of women acquiring breast cancer. The objectives of this study are to establish the influence of lifestyle on the adoption of breast cancer prevention modalities among women in Kyaddondo County. Methodology: A household survey of women in Kyaddondo County using a self-administered questionnaire was undertaken to establish the influence of lifestyle on breast cancer prevention modalities. A sample of 414 females with at least 1 female per household was randomly selected. Results: The results using chi-square to establish an association to adoption of breast cancer prevention modalities showed that the significant determinants of the adoption of breast cancer prevention modalities were: taking alcohol, a woman gives birth, children ever born, breast feeding, frequency of breast feeding and a woman doing exercises. There was no significant relationship between frequency of alcohol intake, tobacco usage, frequency use of tobacco, use of family planning, type of family planning method used(orals pills and injectables), length of use of family planning, type of work done for a living and frequency of exercises in relation to adoption of breast cancer prevention modalities. Logistic regression analysis revealed that the lifestyle key determinants of adoption of breast cancer prevention modalities are limiting alcohol consumption (OR 2.084 95% CI: 1.260-3.449), family planning uptake (OR 3.479 95% CI: 1.331-9.095) and exercising (OR 2.524 95% CI: 1.613-3.949). Conclusions: This study inculcates participation of women and their communities’ evidence based lifestyle educational programs to help improve the health of women but also their level of knowledge so as to increase the adoption of breast cancer prevention modalities